The SIG P210-1: History And Specifications
The private and police pistols SIG P 210-1 from 1949
The SIG P210-1, introduced in 1949, is a self-loading pistol designed for private and police use. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship, precision, and durability, the P210-1 has become an icon among firearm enthusiasts. This model embodies the meticulous attention to detail that SIG is renowned for, making it a favorite among collectors and marksmen alike.
Model Designation and Variants
The SIG P210-1 is available in 9mm Parabellum and 7.65mm Parabellum calibers. Several unique features and updates distinguish this model:
- Slide and Frame: Finely finished with exceptional precision and durability.
- Grip Panels: Early models (pre-1967) featured wooden grips with horizontal grooves, while later versions adopted checkered patterns in various designs.
- Safety Features: Lanyard loop, curved slide stop, and serrated safety lever for enhanced handling.
- Hammer: Equipped with a safety notch for improved reliability.
Markings
Every SIG P210-1 is meticulously stamped with identifying markings:
- Slide: Features the serial number, SIG logo, and a Swiss cross emblem.
- Frame: Includes the serial number, proof mark, and, for sport pistols, the model designation.
- Barrel: Displays the serial number and proof mark.
- Lock Housing: Stamped with the last digits of the serial number for quick reference.
The SIG P210-1 follows a structured numbering system to differentiate its calibers and series:
- 9mm Parabellum & 7.65mm Parabellum: Numbered from P 50001 to P 100000, with a new series starting from P 300001.
- .22 Long Rifle Variants: Numbered starting from 40001.
Why Enthusiasts Value the SIG P210-1
The SIG P210-1 is celebrated not only for its historical significance but also for its unmatched quality and precision engineering. Each firearm is a testament to Swiss craftsmanship, making it a sought-after piece for collectors and shooters who value performance and history in equal measure.
Whether as a functional sidearm or a collector’s treasure, the SIG P210-1 continues to stand as a benchmark for excellence in firearm design.
Standard Pistol | Sport Pistol | |
|---|---|---|
The new technical specifications, from 1995 onwards, differ slightly in some aspects. | ||
Caliber | 9 mm Para, 7.65 mm Para, .22 l.r. | 9 mm Para, 7.65 mm Para |
Barrel Length | 120 mm | 120 mm / 150 mm |
Number of Grooves | 6 (9 mm, .22 l.r.) / 4 (7.65 mm) | 6 (9 mm) / 4 (7.65 mm) |
Twist (Right) | 250 mm (9 mm, 7.65 mm) / 450 mm (.22 l.r.) | 250 mm (9 mm, 7.65 mm) |
Magazine Capacity | 8 Rounds | 8 Rounds |
Weight (Without Mag) | 900 g (9 mm) / 910 g (7.65 mm) / 845 g (.22) | 940-960 g (9 mm) / 950-990 g (7.65 mm) |
Empty Magazine Weight | 85 g | 85 g |
Sight Line Length | 164 mm | 176/202 mm |
Overall Length | 215 mm | 215/245 mm |
Muzzle Velocity (m/s) | 350 (9 mm) / 365 (7.65 mm) / 200 (.22) | 350 (9 mm) / 365 (7.65 mm) |
Trigger Pull (g) | 2500 g | 1500-2000 g |
Trigger Travel | 4 mm | 1.8-2.0 mm |
The Specs and information on the different gun models listed below are based on Das Grosse Buch der SIG-Pistolen, “The Big Book of SIG Pistols,” by Lorenz Vetter.
SIG P 210-1
1st Variant, 1949/50
- Weapon Number: P 50004
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: 1st version, tapered at the front, polished, blued, with firing pin plate and Swiss emblem
- Frame: 2nd version, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel with SIG barrel curve
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, with edge and slotted, without safety notch
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Walnut wood with horizontal grooves, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Hammer and cross bridge without rest notch, flat slide stop design, safety lever rounded on the outside. The weapon number P 50004 on the slide is offset by one position compared to the number on the frame. The number range is P 50001 to P 50200.
SIG P 210-1
1949/50, 2nd Variant
- Weapon Number: P 50249
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: 1st version, polished, blued, No. P 50249
- Frame: 2nd version, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel with barrel curve
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Steel, polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version with edge, hammer without safety notch, No. 50249
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves and lanyard loop
Special Features:
2nd version, without safety notch. Safety lever and slide stop in flat design. Weapon numbers on slide and frame aligned exactly with each other. Swiss emblem on the slide.
SIG P 210-1
1951/52
- Weapon Number: P 51619
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm
- Slide: 1st version, polished, blued, weapon number larger than on the frame
- Frame: 2nd version, polished, reddish blued, large radius at the trigger guard
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel with barrel curve
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Steel, single-row, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Loose, seated in the frame
- Front Sight: 1st version, sport front sight, slotted
- Rear Sight: Early micro sight, without number, sight plate flat, slotted
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves
Special Features:
The pistol has a micro sight without a number and a flat sight plate. The hammer has a safety notch, which is shortened at the top and marked with “BP.” The pistol was purchased privately by a Swedish officer but carried in the military as a service weapon. The early micro-sight and sport front-sight were later installed in Sweden.
SIG P 210-1
1951/52, Cantonal Police of Appenzell
- Weapon Number: P 51787
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: 1st version, front section still flat-milled
- Frame: 2nd version, large radius at the trigger guard
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: 250 mm, right-hand
- Magazine: 2nd version, polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Polished, blued
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves and lanyard loop
Special Features:
Flat slide stop, rounded safety lever, hammer with safety notch, Appenzell emblem on the left side of the frame, trigger milled. The pistol was in the possession of the Cantonal Police of Appenzell, marked with the “BP” stamp.
SIG P 210-1
1952/53, Cantonal Police of Neuchâtel
- Weapon Number: P 54460
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm Para
- Slide: 2nd version, front section with guide rail
- Frame: 2nd version, large radius at the trigger guard
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel, 2nd version
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 2nd version, rear section without edge
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves and lanyard loop
Special Features:
Slide stop and safety lever in the new version, milled trigger, numbered magazine (No. 54460), Neuchâtel emblem on the left side of the frame behind the grip panel. The pistol was in the possession of the Cantonal Police of Neuchâtel, marked with the “BP” stamp.
SIG P 210-1
1953
- Weapon Number: P 54581
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: 2nd version, with protruding guide rail, polished
- Frame: 2nd version, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 2nd version, flat at the rear
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Walnut wood with grooves and lanyard loop
Special Features:
The above pistol is an early P 210-1 with a flat slide stop, safety lever externally rounded with a radius. Marked above the grip panel with “SWISS MADE” (possibly intended for export to the USA).
SIG P 210-1
1954/55, Cantonal Police of Lucerne
- Weapon Number: P 55016
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: 2nd version, front section with guide rail
- Frame: 2nd version, large radius at the trigger guard
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel, 2nd version
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Single-row, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 2nd version
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Plastic with lanyard loop (1st version with visible grip panel nut)
Special Features:
Slide stop in the new version, safety lever serrated, trigger molded. The pistol was in the possession of the Cantonal Police of Lucerne, marked with the “BP” stamp.
SIG P 210-1
1954/55
- Weapon Number: P 56503
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm Para
- Slide: 2nd version, blued
- Frame: 2nd version, large radius at the trigger guard
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel
- Number of Grooves: Four
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 2nd version
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves and lanyard loop
Special Features:
Molded trigger, slide stop, and safety lever in the new version, marked with the “BP” stamp.
SIG P 210-1
1954/55, Cantonal Police of Lucerne
- Weapon Number: P 55016
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: 2nd version, front section with guide rail
- Frame: 2nd version, large radius at the trigger guard
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel, 2nd version
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Single-row, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 2nd version
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Plastic with lanyard loop (1st version with visible grip panel nut)
Special Features:
Slide stop in the new version, safety lever serrated, trigger molded. The pistol was in the possession of the Cantonal Police of Lucerne, marked with the “BP” stamp.
SIG P 210-1
1956-58
- Weapon Number: P 60412
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para and 7.65 mm Para
- Slide: 2nd version, blued, polished
- Frame: 2nd version, blued, marked with “BP” stamp
- Barrel Length: 120 mm
- Number of Grooves: Four (7.65 mm), six (9 mm)
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Single-row, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Rear section laterally screwed, full number located at the back of the lock
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with coarse checkering, lanyard loop
Special Features:
Two barrels, special grip panels with checkering extending to the top, first original sport grip panels for the P 210.
SIG P 210-1
1969/70, Double Number
- Weapon Number: P 68990
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: 2nd version, blued, Swiss emblem
- Frame: 2nd version, marked with “BP” stamp, “SWISS MADE” engraved on the back
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 2nd version
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with fine checkering and lanyard loop
Special Features:
“SWISS MADE” engraved on the left side of the frame. Double numbering with P 210-6 HEAVY FRAME No. 68990, with a loaded chamber indicator. Very rare version.
SIG P 210-1
1972/73
- Weapon Number: P 73616
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm Para
- Slide: 2nd version, blued
- Frame: 2nd version, reddish blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 2nd version
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with fine checkering (oiled finish) and lanyard loop
SIG P 210-1
Three Calibers, Three Slides
- Weapon Number: P 81700
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para, 7.65 mm Para, .22 l.r.
- Slide: 2nd version, polished, blued (9 mm and 7.65 mm), milled (.22 l.r. system)
- Frame: 2nd version, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm for all calibers
- Number of Grooves: Six / Four / Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm (9 mm and 7.65 mm), 450 mm (.22 l.r.)
- Magazine: Calibers 9 mm and 7.65 mm: blued, sandblasted; Caliber .22 l.r.: polished
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 2nd version, without weapon number
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with checkering, oiled, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
“SWISS MADE” engraved on the left side of the frame. Double numbering with P 210-6 HEAVY FRAME No. 68990, with a loaded chamber indicator. Very rare version.
SIG P 210-1
1972/73
- Weapon Number: P 73616
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm Para
- Slide: 2nd version, blued
- Frame: 2nd version, reddish blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 2nd version
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with fine checkering (oiled finish) and lanyard loop
Special Features:
- Base firearm: P 210-1, caliber 9 mm Para.
- Slide for caliber 7.65 mm: same weapon number with additional marking “Z”.
- Slide for caliber .22 l.r.: same weapon number (on the left side of the slide).
- Finish: blued, polished.
SIG P 210-1
Three Calibers, Three Slides
- Weapon Number: P 81700
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para, 7.65 mm Para, .22 l.r.
- Slide: 2nd version, polished, blued (9 mm and 7.65 mm), milled (.22 l.r. system)
- Frame: 2nd version, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm for all calibers
- Number of Grooves: Six / Four / Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm (9 mm and 7.65 mm), 450 mm (.22 l.r.)
- Magazine: Calibers 9 mm and 7.65 mm: blued, sandblasted; Caliber .22 l.r.: polished
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 2nd version, without weapon number
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with checkering, oiled, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
“SWISS MADE” engraved on the left side of the frame. Double numbering with P 210-6 HEAVY FRAME No. 68990, with a loaded chamber indicator. Very rare version.
SIG P 210-1
- Weapon Number: P 300201
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm Para
- Slide: Latest production, sandblasted, blued, Swiss emblem
- Frame: Latest production, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued, sandblasted
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Sport lock
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with checkering, lacquered, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
First polished firearm of the 300,000 series. Marking on the left side of the slide: SIG. Finish: blued, polished.
SIG P 210-1
“SIGARMS”
- Weapon Number: P 303682
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Newest version, with Swiss emblem
- Frame: Newest version, grooves on the front of the frame
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, fixed barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued, sandblasted
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Sport lock without weapon number
- Front Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Rear Sight: Slotted, standard military
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with checkering, oiled, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Weapon manufactured for export to the USA. Markings on the left side of the slide: SIG. Left side of the frame: “Made in Switzerland.” Right side of the frame: “SIGARMS Inc. Tysons Corner Virginia.” Finish: blued, polished.
